Local News

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump threatened North Korea "with fire and fury like the world has never seen" on Tuesday after suggestions the communist country has mastered one of the final hurdles to being able to strike the United States with a nuclear missile.

North Korea fired off its own "serious warning to the United States" about "enveloping" America's Pacific territory of Guam in missile fire to counteract U.S. bombers that are based there and fly over South Korea — and "get on the nerves" of the North.

The competing threats escalated tensions between the foes even further. Although it wasn't clear if Trump and the Koreans were responding directly to each other, the heightened rhetoric added to the potential for a miscalculation that might bring the nuclear-armed nations into conflict.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The strongest sanctions yet against North Korea could still prove no match for the communist country's relentless nuclear weapons ambitions.

While the United States hails a new package of U.N. penalties that could cut a third of North Korea's exports, the sanctions themselves aren't the American objective. They're only a tactic for getting Kim Jong Un's totalitarian government to end its missile advances and atomic weapons tests, and there is little evidence to suggest this newest round of economic pressure will be more successful than previous efforts.

Whatever the economic pain on Pyongyang, Kim's government has expressed no interest in negotiating away its fast-growing arsenal of perhaps 20 nuclear bombs and the ballistic missiles needed to deliver them. For the young North Korean leader, the weapons are fundamental to the survival of his authoritarian regime, even if they deepen diplomatic isolation and bring even more extreme poverty for his long-suffering people.

GALLUP (AP) — A Navy battalion is wrapping up its second summer of volunteering to build housing on the Navajo Nation for those who otherwise could not afford it.

The Gallup Independent reports the Navy New Mexico Construction Battalion 22, or the Seabees, partnered with the Southwest Indian Foundation and the Navajo Housing Authority to construct modular homes on the reservation. Qualifying individuals pay only the monthly utility bills for the homes.

Navy officials say the Seabees also benefit from the program by receiving additional training and learning construction trades that can translate into valuable skills after deployment.

The Navy began working with the foundation two years ago after they were handed the opportunity by the Air Force.

The program has built 261 homes on the Navajo Nation over the last 20 years.

FARMINGTON (AP) — International producer BP is pointing to northwestern New Mexico as a possible significant new source of natural gas for the United States.

The company announced Monday that it brought online one of the most productive wells in the Mancos Shale that the San Juan Basin has seen in more than a decade. The basin spans New Mexico and southern Colorado.

BP says an average of nearly 13 million cubic feet of gas a day was pumped during an initial 30-day period.

Company officials say the recent test suggests the region could become one of the nation's leading shale plays. Some industry analysts want to see if new wells post similar results.

BP acquired thousands of acres in the region in 2015 in hopes of tapping the shale and expanding its position in the basin.

Police Beat items are compiled from public information contained in Los Alamos Police Department Records. Charges or citations listed in Police Beat do not imply innocence or guilt. The Los Alamos Police Department uses the term “arrest” to define anyone who has been physically arrested, served a court summons, or issued a citation.

Los Alamos residents joined in the Second Annual Battle of the Badges community blood drive on Thursday and Friday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Donors received a commemorative t-shirt just for donating and also got the chance to vote for their favorite first responder team.

Donor Recruiter for United Blood Services Monica Herrera explained that the blood donated will benefit patients in all hospitals throughout New Mexico, as they are the only blood collector and provider in the state.

It takes 300 blood donations every day to meet the needs of area patients and to be ready for emergencies.
Volunteers from the Senior Center, specifically the Los Alamos Volunteers Association, helped organize and staff the event.

Volunteer Director Linda Boncella remarked, “United Blood Services is great to work with and they are extremely grateful for how responsive Los Alamos residents are to their blood drives.” According to Boncella, Los Alamos County has the highest per capita number of “O” donors in New Mexico, which is significant as “O” is the universal donor type.

June 26
Jordan Ahlers pleaded guilty to speeding six to 10 miles an hour over the speed limit. The defendant was fined $50 and must pay $65 in court costs.

Aaron Anaya pleaded no contest to careless driving and was sentenced to defensive driving school and community service. The sentence was deferred until Aug. 24.

June 27
Marcos Erives-Bojorquez was found guilty of speeding six to 10 miles an hour over the speed limit. The defendant was fined $50 and must pay $65 in court costs.

Freedom Colson was found guilty of failing to display a valid registration plate and failing to provide proof of financial responsibility. The defendant was fined $125 and must pay $130 in court costs.

Patrick Macdonald was found guilty of speeding one to five miles an hour over the speed limit. The defendant was fined $25 and must pay $65 in court costs.

Angela Arellano was found guilty of speeding one to five miles an hour over the speed limit. The defendant was fined $25 and must pay $65 in court costs.

Cynthia Deschamp was found guilty of speeding six to 10 miles an hour over the speed limit and failing to provide a proper operator’s/chauffeur’s license. The defendant was fined $75 and must pay $130 in court costs.

ALBUQUERQUE — Recent killings of children, attacks on law enforcement officers and a rise in crime in New Mexico’s largest city have conservative state lawmakers calling for New Mexico to reinstate the death penalty.

State Rep. Monica Youngblood said Friday she will once again push for a bill that would bring back capital punishment for fatal attacks on law enforcement and in the murder of children.

The recent attack on correctional officers by two high-risk inmates and a jump in crime in Albuquerque show that something needs to be done to stop “criminals who have nothing to lose” who will continue to prey on residents, the Albuquerque Republican said.

“I think it would be a deterrent. I mean, look what’s going on in Albuquerque,” Youngblood said, referring to a jump in crime in that city. “This would be a narrow reinstatement focusing on those who kill law enforcement and children.”

Two correctional officers were recovering Friday after they were stabbed by two high-risk inmates at a New Mexico prison, authorities said.